Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday called upon the country’s business people to prepare for the LDC graduation challenges by making themselves very competitive in the current global and local markets.
“There are some discussions going on about the graduation. I am not saying anything about it. But I urge the business people to prepare yourselves…. But you have to be very competitive. You have to look at the global situation and of course the local situation,” he said at an event in the evening.
The finance adviser was addressing as the chief guest at the 23rd edition of the DHL-The Daily Star Bangladesh Business Awards held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka.
Salehuddin said the government will definitely facilitate the business people with all kinds of support through policy reforms, through process simplifications and through other support instruments.
He also urged the private sector to take a leading role in job creation and global expansion, warning that government resources alone cannot sustain growth.
“Performance (of the business sector) is really good. And it is Bangladesh business not only local — it’s global also because our products are going to different countries, our services are being given to different countries,” he said.
The finance adviser said the private companies — rather than the state ones— would be the main driver of employment. “The government cannot create employment except in some areas. Private sector development will really fuel employment,” he said.
Global logistics service provider DHL and English newspaper, The Daily Star, have been honouring the best in the business community every year since 2000 to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of business icons.
The theme of this year's award is "Powering the Private Sector."
Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin attended the event as the special guest.
This year, the ceremony honoured extraordinary achievements in the business community for the calendar year 2024 across four award categories, along with a special “Lifetime Achievement” recognition.
City Bank has been recognised as the category of Financial Institution of the Year 2024, while Walton Group as Enterprise of the Year 2024, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury as Business Person of the Year 2024 and Sadia Haque as Outstanding Woman in Business 2024. Besides, Anis Ud Daula has been honoured with a special ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’
Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said, “For more than two decades, the Bangladesh Business Awards have stood as a platform to inspire and recognize the achievements of our business leaders. Each year, we showcase individuals and organizations who embody resilience, vision, excellence, and ethical business. Their success stories encourage us to aim higher and highlight Bangladesh’s potential to thrive in the global marketplace.”\
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Managing Director of DHL Express Bangladesh Md. Miarul Haque said, “Bangladesh is on a transformation journey, and its private sector continues to be the engine of growth. At DHL, we are proud to celebrate the leadership that drives this progress. Tonight’s awardees are not only shaping industries but also contributing to the nation’s economic advancement and global competitiveness.”